Mary Brackett Masters

Mary Brackett Masters, 84, entered into heaven on November 27, 2022. She passed peacefully at Matthews Glen with her family by her side.

Mary was born March 4, 1938, in Gastonia, NC, to the late Ross Otis Brackett, Sr., and Lucy Eldridge Brackett. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Robert Brackett, Ross Otis Brackett, Jr., and Reese D. Brackett, Sr.; her sisters, Wanda Conley and Sara Kelly and a special niece, Renee’ B. Powers.

Mary worked tirelessly in Information Technology for many years and retired from Gaston County Government as IT Manager after 23 years of service. Mary was a loving and devoted wife, daughter, mother, sister, aunt, mother-in-law and friend. She was a strong believer in the Lord, and she shared the gospel with many. She often counseled or advised others whenever she was asked or wherever she saw a need. Many have attested to her words of wisdom, for which she always gave credit to the Lord.

As a devout Christian and member of First Wesleyan Church Gastonia all of her life, Mary enjoyed serving through a variety of church ministries; teaching adult Sunday School classes, leading Women’s Missionary Ministry and participating in food ministry.

Hospitality, cooking and giving of herself to others were Mary’s gifts and she excelled in all. Her cooking was most appreciated by her extended family, but was later turned into a catering business with her husband which primarily focused on weddings, including wedding cakes. This later led to a 10-year ownership of Talley’s Florist, Gastonia, by Mary and her husband. They both enjoyed serving others with flowers. Mary’s energy was unmatched, so she was known by the family as the ‘Energizer Bunny’.

Mary is survived by her devoted and loving husband of over 62 years, Ed Masters; her loving & thankful daughter, Chandra M. Zinola and her caring & supportive son-in-law, Peter Zinola; brother, Roger W. Brackett, Sr., and wife Kathy; as well as 19 beloved nieces, nephews, their children and many friends.  Mary loved well and she was well loved.

The family will receive friends at First Wesleyan Church, 208 South Church Street, Gastonia, NC 28054, on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 1:00 until 2:00 pm, prior to the Celebration of Life service to be held at 2:00 pm at the Church. Interment will follow at Hollywood Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jon Lastra, Pat Kelly, Reese Dennis Brackett, Roger Brackett, Jr, Ryan Brackett and Rick Brackett.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Wesleyan Church or the Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park Road, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209

Condolences may be made online at www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com

Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia 704-864-5144 is serving the family.